New Haven activist among 9 arrested during Hartford immigration rally

Activists seek to end deportation

By Christine Stuart ctnewsjunkie.com

Published 6:50 pm, Monday, June 27, 2016

Immigration Rally

Media: New Haven Register

HARTFORD >> Immigration activists caught the Hartford Police Department by surprise Monday when they unfurled a bright orange banner across Main Street in Hartford around 4 p.m. and shut down traffic for about 45 minutes.

Hartford Deputy Police Chief Brian Foley said the police were aware the protestors were going to be outside the federal building in Hartford, but they didn’t know their members planned to get arrested. A handful of police were on hand for the beginning of the protest and their numbers swelled as they realized the protesters weren’t going to leave.

Foley said they will be charged with disorderly conduct and given their history “will most likely be given a promise-to-appear” in court. Such a promise eliminates the need to post bond.

Foley said they won’t be checking their immigration status.

Photo: Journal Register Co.

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Christine Stuart photoMark Colville at an immigration rally in Hartford

Christine Stuart photoMark Colville at an immigration rally in Hartford

Photo: Journal Register Co.

New Haven activist among 9 arrested during Hartford immigration rally

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Muguerza, who was one of the nine arrested, said he was participating in civil disobedience today because “our community has been ignored for far too long and the time has come to disrupt public spaces to show that we are not going anyway.”

More than a hundred supporters stood on the sidewalk and continued to chant with the nine and cheered as police arrested them. Colville, a longtime anti-war activist, runs the Amistad Catholic Worker house in the Hill neighborhood of New Haven.